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Herxing....is this normal

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Posted 2/21/2013 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

I started my high abx four days ago and I can barely keep my eyes open. Only a few of my joints have been in extreme pain and my abdominal pain is more severe, but the biggest thing is I CANNOT KEEP MY EYES open! Is this a normal herx affect?

I was able to get my parents to keep my 3 year old but no one will take my 1 year old and I am doing everything in my power to stay up. My husband is gone 24+ hours at a time, so I have the toddlers all by myself. I live in a very gated community right now, lol. I have her completely gated into the living room with me!

I think it is my body telling me to rest and I told my family I need help with her but she is such a mommys girl and will not sleep at anyone else's house. I sure wish I had someone to stay with me for a bit...:-(.

The extreme fatigue started yesterday. I am just curious as to how long it has lasted for others, if at all,and what else I can expect! Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading ;-)
Posted 2/21/2013 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Mom!!!! I haven't officially started treatment yet so I wish I could be of more help!
Posted 2/21/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Mom0f2withlyme,

Here's my opinion on herxing. Most lyme patients seem to herx. The severity of each person's herx is unique to each particular individual. Extreme fatigue is OFTEN one of the miserable symptoms after treatment is started. Herxes may be normal, but they are not healthy. It is in the patient's best interest to start a detox program to effectively eliminate one of the main sources of the herx- the toxins. Also, I discovered in the case of my daughter that the toxicity of the ABX were in and of themselves a major portion of what we considered to be herx. Compatibility testing revealed that most of her ABX were incompatible with her body. Anything that is foreign and toxic to the body will place a stress upon the body that will tend to cause fatigue.

Has your doctor tested your ABX for compatibility?

Don
Posted 2/21/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
MomOf2 I'm taking care of my 21 month old alone while herding, I can totally relate!!!

I definitely think you're herxing. A herx is basically an increase in your symptoms, and yes it definitely sounds like you are in desperate need of some rest!

I'm sorry you don't have more help. My mom is the same way about my son, he doesn't always sleep through the night and she doesn't like his bedtime (she thinks 9pm too late for a baby, but with my insomnia, if he went to bed earlier I wouldn't be able to get up with him). so she basically will only keep him for a few hours during the day. Which doesn't exactly help, I don't have the energy to get his stuff together and get him there (she lives an hour away), only to turn around and go back to get him a couple hours later. So as much as I could use and would love the help, I simply don't have it.

I'm so sorry you're going through this too. It's tough. Hang in there, I hope you get past this herx and come out feeling better because of it! :)
Posted 2/21/2013 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
*herxing not herding!!! Lol! Oh and btw we are gated in too, he can go between his room and mine, but that's it. No way do I have the energy to chase him around the house!!! :)
Posted 2/22/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, increased fatigue with herxing is very normal. It's your bodies way of trying to fight the infection.

Detoxing will help.

And when it comes down to it, you need to sleep as much as possible. Although, I know that's easier said than done with 2 young children. Make sure that you nap when the kids nap. It will mean that you don't get anything done during that time, but that's just the way it has to be right now. And go to bed early, right after they do. My husband's traveling for work right now. When he travels, I try to nap every day and go to bed at a reasonable time.

Is there any way that your mom could come to your house to watch both kids? Or could you hire a "moms helper" for a couple of hours/day to play with your daughter and maybe do some dishes and laundry while you sleep?
Posted 2/22/2013 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Don- no he didn't test for abx compatibility?!?!

Everyone else- thanks for your replies. I was able to get my mother-in-law to take my girl for 6-8 hours tomorrow and as much as it will drive me nuts not to clean, I am going to spend all day in bed.

I started my gluton free diet and it's not bad. I have also started detox but I cannot give up my coffee. I will take another bath tomorrow and I am drinking water by the gallon jugs ....lol. Taking all my supplements too! I really want to do it right and feel better!!!! <3
Posted 2/22/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Also ALCOHOL AND CIGGARETTE FREE!!!!!!!!! YAY YAY ME (not that I chain smoked and drank tons but I would have a cigg or two when stressed and some wine at night)! I am so proud of myself for quitting!!

Post Edited (MomOf2WithLyme) : 2/22/2013 5:14:46 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2013 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Momof 2. I'm going through the same situation, my dr just switched meds and I feel exhausted, I feel so bad for my 4 yr old son, I know he wants to play and I just keep him in my room or the living room. I also can't quit my coffee, I'm not drinking alcohol, but I have one cup of coffee every morning. I don't have anybody around to help me, so I have to get up every morning to take my 7 yo daughter to school, its exhausting :( I just started the cat's claw and the grapefruit seed extract, I will see how that goes. But I can completly relate to your situation, as I'm going through exactly the same, and I can't keep my eyes open. Hang in there, we will get better :)
Posted 2/22/2013 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
same here, on my second week of abx, the first week my herxes were waves of hot sweating and nausea and vomiting once a day, this week seems to be severe fatigue during the day but of course like usual still insomnia at night. i had to nap with my kids yesterday.
hope tomorrow is better!
natalie
Posted 2/22/2013 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
The one thing I can advice you is to go slow, and to detox;

 

I didn't, and I paid for it, believe me. I've been a mess since I started treatment August 2012. A real mess. first 3 months I didn't get 1 day off herxing. Then the next 2 months I had about 1 'good' (it would still be horrible for a healthy person) day per month. I didn't know I had to detox when I started, and I think that was the biggest problem. My system must have suffered so much.

I'm without abx for 5 weeks now, only these last 5 days I experienced a bit less pain.

 

I'm slowly building up Buhner's protocol meanwhile, and next week I should restart the abx... I'm a bit nervous about that...

 

Please take it slow and flush that body!! smilewinkgrin

Posted 6/26/2016 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
What I love about this board, is you can type in a question, and lo and behold, because of the extensive archives, the knowledge is retained. Was curious about the but arse fatigue and now understand probably related to herxing as I tackle co-infections. Listening to my body and just plain RESTING! Long nap in my hammock today with the cat. Upping my detox efforts I think.
Posted 6/26/2016 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Questing - Cat's are always eager for a nap....that's one of the reasons I love them. tongue
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